Marc Peter Keane: Marc Peter Keane, a graduate of Cornell University, is an American landscape architect and author. He lived in Kyoto, Japan, for nearly 20 years, and specializes in Japanese garden design. Presently, he maintains a design office in Ithaca, New York. He is the author of several books about garden design: Japanese Garden Design (an introduction to the culture and design of Japanese gardens); Sakuteiki: Visions of the Japanese Garden (a translation of Japan's oldest gardening text, co-authored with Prof. Jiro Takei), The Art of Setting Stones (a collection of philosophical essays on gardens), and The Japanese Tea Garden (history and aesthetics of Japanese tea gardens). Keane is a fellow at the Research Center for Japanese Garden Art in Kyoto, the East Asia Program at Cornell University, and the Institute for Medieval Japanese Studies at Columbia University. He has lectured widely throughout the United States, England, and Japan. Keane also acted as chairman of Kyoto Mitate International for many years, a non-profit organization that worked to revitalize Kyoto's traditional environments and cultural heritage.
An elegantly soulful interpretation of the essential elements of Japanese garden design.-The New York Times An inspirational source for any individual interested in Japanese gardens and their design. -Choice Reviews Gorgeous... Like the gardens themselves, every corner of Japanese Garden Notes has been carefully considered, making for a delightful, nourishing coffee-table book. -The Japan Times It's hard to think of a better person to serve as a personal guide through 100 of Japan's finest gardens. -Spoon & Tamago In the crowded field of books on Japanese gardens, Marc Keane has produced a classic. -Kendall H. Brown, author of Quiet Beauty: The Japanese Gardens of North America As evidenced through this selection of photographs, the garden design ideas vary in their composition and execution. Some include luscious and open green spaces, while others are more contained and have meticulous arrangements. Each will make you want to go and connect with nature. -My Modern MET A true work of art... that all who are interested in Japanese gardens should have on their bookshelf. -Shakkei: The Journal of the Japanese Garden Society A jumping-off point for audiences interested in learning more about Japanese gardens, and offers inspiration for casual observers, garden design students, and aficionados. -Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia A must-have volume for anyone seriously interested in understanding the spirit and attention to subtle detail that make Japanese gardens places of tranquility and refuge wherever they exist in the world. -Diane Durston (Arlene Schnitzer Curator of Culture, Art, and Education) and Sadafumi Uchiyama (Garden Curator), Portland Japanese Garden Gives the reader a rich overview of Japanese garden art, while pleasing the eye with surprising, intimate, even intense, photographs.-Alex Kerr, author of Lost Japan Captures the beauty and intelligence of Japanese gardens better than any book I know of. -Leonard Koren, author of Wabi-Sabi: for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers Keane is the perfect person to expound on the finer aspects of the Japanese garden. [Japanese Garden Notes] captures the elegance of such a calming place. -JQ magazine